THRISSUR: The controversial iron barricade removed from Manali-Paliyekkara road allowing free movement for four wheelers and heavy vehicles to enter Mannuthy-Angamaly NH toll was reinstated by Police as per the direction of Thrissur Collector on Tuesday morning. Collector A Kowsigan told DC that there was a communication gap which led to news reports on Saturday morning that he had issued an order to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to remove the barricade.
“The court order in 2012 says that no entry is possible through the Manali -Paliyekkara road to the toll way. And if I had issued the order, it could well have been contempt of court,” he said. Mr Kowsigan went on to say that he had not come across any court order as claimed by activist Joy Kaitharam that permitted entry of vehicles from the road to the toll way by bypassing the Paliyekkara Toll Plaza of Guruvayoor Infrastructure Private Ltd. “What I did with the complaint I received was to mark it to the PWD engineer to submit a report and it was misinterpreted as an order to open the blockade,” he said.
Meanwhile, AAP members protested the reinstallation of the iron pillars, that now prevents cars from passing. Earlier, only autorickshaws and two-wheelers could. ‘Movie is Illegal’ “By only completing 60 percent of the Mannuty-Agamaly toll way, collection of toll began in 2012. I have an interim court order from High Court that directs the district administration to act on the basis of law on the issue of the road blockade. The district administration is sitting on it. Manali-Paliyekkar Road, which was the erstwhile state highway, cannot be blocked for toll collection,” Kaitharam noted. He said that he was considering legal options against the administration reinstating the blockade.
